SETTING UP THE PLANS
Harry kept his promise: at the beginning of July he sent, with Sirius’ help, a letter to Madam Longbottom requesting a meeting with her. She agreed to meet them in Diagon Alley July 2nd.
So godfather and godson left for Diagon Alley.
They arrived early at the Leaky Cauldron where they had rented a room and waited for the others.
a clicking sound anticipated the arrival of Augusta Longbottom and a very bored looking Neville. Whom, poor thing, widened his eyes at seeing with who was the meeting.
His whole expression seemed to convey 'Harry what the fuck did you do this time?'
“Sirius Black. Good to see you’re not in Azkaban anymore” If Sirius was bothered by her lack of tact he didn’t let it show
“Madam Longbottom!” he said jovially as he rose to kiss her hand “A pleasure as always”
Madam Longbottom scoffed but let him kiss her hand
“So what is it that you wanted to talk about?” she asked, taking a seat.
“Well Madam, I wanted to ask you if you’d like to allow Neville to come to the World Cup with us” Harry
“And why would I allow my one and only heir to go to a disaster waiting to happen?”
“Because he wants to? and we will all be there, nothing will happen to him”
“With the guy who’s just come out of Azkaban”
“That, Ma'am, was very rude. And yes he just got out, but he’s obviously fine. We will all be together, believe me if I tell you I will let nothing happen to him”
“I do not know if he would survive the afternoon with you”
“Then why don’t we try an afternoon and we’ll see how that goes?”ù
“And where exactly? Black Manor?”
“The Burrow”
“With that many Weasleys? Absolutely not”
“The three oldest are away to either work or study and the twins will be in their room experimenting for the rest of the summer. It will be me Ron, Ginny, hopefully Hermione and Luna” Harry shot back
“Very well. Next Tuesday, you are to come to Longbottom Manor and I will accompany you to the Burrow.”
“And the World Cup?”
“If he survives the afternoon we’ll see” she conceded, even as Neville gasped
“If he survives four he’ll come”
“Absolutely not, Mr Potter”
“It’s Lord Potter ma’am and if he survives four afternoons with us he can come to the Cup. If you want we’ll send him back for the night with a portkey” Madam Longbottom stopped for a second, stunned. she really didn't expect the boy to be such great negotiator
“That is acceptable, Lord Potter. I will see you next Tuesday. Come along Neville”
Between Sirius and Neville it was hard to decide who was more surprised.
As Augusta Longbottom got up to leave, Harry winked at Neville. The poor guy looked so confused but so grateful at the same time.
“Well Pup” said Sirius after they left “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone make Augusta agree to something this fast”
Harry scoffed “We had to convince her to let us use Longbottom Manor as headquarters, you have no idea just how hard it was” said Harry, after he all but collapsed onto a chair.
“Headquarters for what?”
“Nothing, nothing.” he said dismissively. He had no intention to tell his godfather about the resistance against Dumbledore and how they decided to come back in time “ There’s also something I may or may not have done…” he said instead, the tone of voice making Sirius instantly on high alert
“Pup what did you do?”
Harry had a shit eating grin. At the same time someone knocked at the door. “Come in!” he said, smiling
“Harry?” said a very fucking familiar voice.
“Harry what did you do?” said Sirius again, shocked this time
“Hello Professor Lupin!”
“I am not your professor anymore Harry….Sirius” Remus stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of his childhood lover *cough cough* I meant friend.
“Yeah I know, you’ve left us with a hot potato now thank you very much” scoffed Harry, sounding annoyed
“What?” Remus had apparently decided to avoid the elephant in the room
“Yeah, Umbitch is the next teacher for DADA, and now, just now!, that we had broken the curse! She’ll stay unless we take her out and if it’ll involve illegal stuff I blame you” Remus spluttered something but Harry just smiled and said
“But don’t let my incessant chattering stop you! I don’t think I need to introduce you to each other, you know you’re dumb and dumber. I will be downstairs with a butterbeer” Harry said making his exit
“Harry don’t….” started Sirius
“Oh and before I forget!” Said Harry with a foot out the door
“This lock will only open once you have cleared everything up. Enjoy” he smirked and locked the door.
Harry did the smart thing and left the Leaky entirely: he knew that this conversation would take time, so he went to Fortescue’s and got an ice cream. oh how he loved Florean Fortescue’s ice cream! he missed it so much after the war
After a delightful Ice cream Harry made his way to the Gringotts bank. There Ironclaw was already waiting for him. He bowed to her as he stood by the ominous-as-usual sign about not staling.
“May your gold ever flow Mistress Ironclaw” she nodded once and answered
“May your enemies perish to your venom, young Lord Potter, Please follow me”
the two went through the now-familiar hallways and through the private conference rooms
I once again am not able to verbatim refer to what happened in the meeting: however.
I can tell you that Ironclaw confirmed that Harry will eventually have to claim the right of conquest and that he will own innumerable properties and people.
Harry was extremely disgusted and requested each and every single human in his soon-to-be possession to be freed immediately and the lordships returned to the Lord or heir of the house.
Ironclaw .*unfortunately* pointed out that there were houses that did not have Lords nor Ladies anymore as they had been all killed in the war. Houses which had properties and most importantly Wizengamot seats.
Harry at that point smirked: his and his friends’ plan of changing the Wizarding world was nearer and nearer, the goal oh so close, he could almost touch it.
Meanwhile in the room at the Leaky Remus and Sirius talked: they talked for hours and hours. At first it was kind of awkward, but then they managed to clear up all of their problems. Of course it would take time, but with Harry’s help they were set on the right path